9 Best Solar Companies in Winona, MN (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 9 in Winona based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Winona, MN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Winona homeowner saves $1,612/year with solar panels
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Best Solar Companies in Winona
Searching for the best solar companies in Winona? Installing solar panels is an exciting project that many homeowners find valuable for their wallets, communities and the planet. While solar panels are a large investment, you’ll be able to make that money back and then some, all while living more sustainably. In fact, you could look forward to saving about $19,000 over 20 years.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to the top Winona solar installers so you can make the best choice for your home’s clean energy needs.Interested in seeing the cost of installing a solar system on your roof? Click "get quote" below to get a free, no-obligation quote from a top-rated Winona solar installer.
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Winona
Champion Solar
Informative Resources- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
Olson Solar Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Solar Connection Inc.
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
Solar Connection
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Ethos Green Power Cooperative
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Kuntz Electric, Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
Midwest Solars
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Next Step Energy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Blake Electric, Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Winona
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Winona based on criteria such as its reputation in the industry, customer reviews, services, warranty coverage and financing. Using this solar methodology, we used the data we collected to rate and rank each company and narrow down our picks for the best solar companies in Winona
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Minnesota solar companies
- Brand reputation and certifications (20%): We take each company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) score into consideration, as well as how long the installer has been in business (at least 5 years is required, 10 preferred) and what type of solar certifications it holds.
- Customer reviews (20%): Trust is a top priority at EcoWatch, so we take customer experience under close consideration. We scour different review sites and customer testimonials when ranking our top solar companies, checking sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews. We also consider any potential complaints or lawsuits filed against these companies and award or remove points accordingly.
- Warranty (20%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers 25-year warranties that cover performance, product and workmanship. The industry standard that we measure companies against is 25-year product and performance warranties, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty. We also look closely into the track record of the post-installation support each company provides in terms of honoring its contracts
- Solar services (10%): All of the companies we review install solar panels, but we award companies higher points if they offer additional services for customers, like battery installation, energy-efficiency audits, and EV chargers.
- Pricing and financing (10%): It's hard to get exact quotes for solar projects, but we use marketplace research to determine how each company prices its equipment and installation services. Additionally, companies that offer more help for panel financing — like in-house loans, leases, or PPAs — score higher than those that don't.
- Availability (10%): The bigger the service area, the higher the company will score.
- Transparency and accessibility (5%): Solar installers that offer free consultations and easy contact methods score higher in this category.
- Environmental, social and corporate governance factors (5%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers public data disclosure, addresses end-of-life (EOL) products or processes, and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting the communities that it serves.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Winona
The cost of installing solar panels has decreased greatly over the past few years, but it’s still a substantial investment for most homeowners.Some important factors that dictate the cost of installing a solar panel system on your home and how much money you could save over time include:
- Your income and budget: This shapes what model of solar panels you can get.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which can save you some money, lets you deduct 0 of the cost of installing your solar panel system from your federal taxes. Plus, not including incentives, you can save about $19,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- average energy usage: The more power your household uses on average and the steeper your current power bills are, the more likely you'll benefit from switching to solar.
- How much sunlight your roof gets: If your rooftop gets limited direct sunlight, your solar panel system won’t be able to generate as much energy, which will give you lower savings on electric bills than a house with a roof that gets lots of sunlight.
Even though a solar panel system costs a good chunk of money upfront, it can save you much more over time. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, like the size of your solar panel system and your local electricity rates.
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Solar Incentives in Winona
In an effort to increase solar panel installation and usage, federal and local governments – and even some utility companies – offer incentives to help make solar more affordable and accessible.State and city solar incentives depend on the location and, sometimes, utility company. Many states offer rebates for solar power, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. You can learn about the incentives you can use in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Winona
One of the most compelling reasons to adopt solar energy is to cut your reliance on traditional energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are hazardous for the environment.A question many homeowners might have in mind is how much can they really help save the environment by switching to solar power anyway? Adopting solar power is a great choice for the environment, due to the fact that the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the nation is from burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation – all of which can be powered by solar instead.In Winona, the average resident can lower their carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year once they go solar. If you want to do what you can for the environment, you’ll likely find that there are many good things about adopting solar energy other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help protect the environment, which some would argue is more valuable.
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Winona, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best near me?
The highest-rated local solar company in Winona is Champion Solar, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of making solar panels?
Making solar panels needs to use chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be dangerous for the environment, which is the main negative thing about solar panels.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a good investment for most homeowners, but admittedly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your electricity bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
How long do solar panels last?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher amount of energy production.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert’s opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.